An Adventure No Child Should Have To Take

The first paragraph of this blog may be best read out loud with you following the cues and directions of the person working with you. However, if that is impossible, do not worry – hopefully my message will still come across.

Unaccompanied minors riding a train through Mexico.

Imagine being nine years old, and holding on to the top of a freight train as you travel the unknown countryside. You begin this journey out of hope, out of desire or out of desperation. In some cases, you planned with your best friend to escape your home life; in others you just up and leave, hoping you will find people, some companions along the way. You’ve never been outside your own town; but all you know is that if you stay at home any longer you will be subjected to feeling unwanted, finding gangs attractive or maybe something worse. In some cases you began this adventure in the southern most tip of the country, traveling hundreds of miles and countless days. You brought only what you need to survive and nothing more. Any sign of food is a gift, which is beyond the simplicity of “thank you” or even the gratitude of a “hug;” because in so many cases the bite of bread will save your life. Countless children make this adventure to the United States through Mexico every year. Some children do this because of the reasons listed above, others because they have not seen their mother or father in several years, and even more adventure because of the hope that the United States brings. In 2004, a total 668, 000 immigrants came to the US, from that number, 507,000 people immigrated to the United States through the United States / Mexico boarder. What is even more frightening is that over 1.5 million were apprehended along the southwest border. In the same year, the number of Border Safety Initiative deaths was 328 (Border Crossing Death). According to the Non-Profit, No More Deaths, No Más Muertes, 252 people have died since October 1, 2009.

Of the thousands that travel through Mexico on the freight train system, two to five percent are unaccompanied minors fighting to find a way to the United States by themselves. No matter which way you fall on the immigration issue, I firmly believe that within the umbrella issue of immigration there is the separate issue of unaccompanied children migrants traveling from Honduras, Guatemala and other Latin American countries in attempts find simple human emotions and desires: happiness, love & acceptance.

Those of you who know me well, know that my passion is pretty much anything related to children. Last Monday (October 18), the staff of Casa Marinella and the JVC: Austin community were invited to watch “Which Way Home,” a documentary about unaccompanied minors traveling through Mexico with the intention of moving to the United States for work, to find their parents or to start over. As the whole group piled into the common space, there was hesitancy to start to watch such a heavy documentary. But there is no way that any of us were prepared for the stories we would watch unfold before our eyes. We followed the tale of seven children as they adventure to the land of hope.

• Fito, 13-year-old Honduran whose mother abandoned him when he was very young; lives with his impoverished grandmother, who has a job making cigars. He is traveling to the U.S. to look for work and hopes to be adopted.
• Yurico, a 17-year-old Mexican who ran away from his mother; has lived on the streets of Tapachula, Chiapas since age seven. Yurico proclaims that his life has been spent begging and sleeping on streets, thieving and abusing drugs; sometimes he makes money by washing buses at the city depot. Yurico wants a life free of drugs and violence, and is traveling to the U.S. to find a loving family.
• Jairo, a 14-year-old Mexican whose father never accepted him. He has lived on the streets of Chiapas since his mother was killed a year ago. Schooling is very important to him, but he cannot currently afford to continue his education. Jairo has decided to go to Laredo, Texas to find employment, and then return to Mexico with money to hire a tutor.
• Jose, a nine-year-old Salvadoran, lives with his aunt, and has not seen his mother, Rosa, since she left to work in the U.S. three years ago. Hoping to live with her, he traveled through Mexico on a bus with a smuggler. When Mexican immigration officials boarded the bus, the smuggler abandoned Jose, who was then taken to a detention center.
• Olga and Freddy, nine-year-old Hondurans being taken to the U.S. by smugglers, travel on Mexican freight trains. Olga is trying to get to her mother and sisters in Minnesota, while Freddy wants to reunite with his father. Both have witnessed many accidents while riding the trains, and hope that God will bless their journey.
• Juan Carlos, a 13-year-old Guatemalan, left a letter for his mother Esmeralda, stating that he was going to the U.S. to help her and his siblings. Juan Carlos' father abandoned the family years ago, so he feels it is his responsibility to provide for them. He also wants to find his father in New York, and confront him about why he's forgotten them.
• “Which Way Home” also features the families of two young migrants who did not survive their journey. The bodies of 13-year-old Eloy and his 16-year-old cousin Rosario were found separately in the desert. Their deaths, along with the other stories of those featured in the film, underscore the extremely dangerous journey undertaken by these often-invisible children, who are making adult decisions to change their lives (Which Way Home Web site).

These children are forced to endure pains that most people cannot even fathom in their lives - fear of never reaching the United States, fear of never seeing family again or the fear of death from dehydration or hunger. Over the last week, I have found myself not only thinking about all that I have taken for granted; but also realizing how minuscule major events are compared to what these children persevere through.  

Other Side of the Fence: Seven Days Without A Car

View before 6:50 bus.

Starting Wednesday before last (September 29 for clarification), I started my seven-day challenge to go without using my car, poor George. It was a very enlightening experience.  Before my challenge, I took the bus the majority of the week, but I always had the safety net of my car. Oh! There is a 20 percent chance of rain – I’ll drive. Oh! I might possibly be late for the bus – I’ll drive. Oh, I might have to run an errand for work - I’ll drive.

Afternoon view on Colorado Ave.
while I wait for the number 10 bus.

There are a lot of reasons for my going without a car for 7 days, but we’ll focus specifically on my wanting to look at the life of many of the people we serve at Catholic Charities. I don’t have any crazy stories from my adventures, but just tales of Murphy’s Law and its effects. The first day of my challenge went flawlessly smooth. It’s the second day, in which the tales begin. I slept through my first alarm and woke up at 6:30 for my 6:50 bus. For those of you who know me well, know this had to be an interesting
experience. Friday, I found myself running through downtown Austin (granted only a block) looking like Steve Carrel in Little Miss Sunshine. Except I had my bareley stuffed navy blue backpack and a cardboard box held for dear life in my arms. The box was full of information about Spring Hill for a college fair; and I found myself running to catch my second bus in attempts to not have to sit on the bus bench for another half hour. At the bare minimum, I provided a much-needed chuckle for the bus driver.  The following Monday, I found myself walking the route of my second bus, because I missed it. As I crossed the street after getting off my first bus and started to walk the block it takes to get to the next bus, I found the 4 Montropolis bus zoom past my stop on its morning route. There were days where the bus ran late and it took me way to long to get home. Then I remembered, I looked around and remembered that for many people on the number 10 bus departing downtown at 4:30, this bus is their only way home. This bus is full of people in very different situations than me, such as:

• The mom who just picked-up her son from school; they are asleep on the bus because she works two jobs and he worries about her.
• The man who is blind because of untreated diabetes.
• The college graduate who moved to the Texas Hill Country because he needs medical care for his lung disease caused by his work
• The girl who worked an extra long shift at Chuckie Cheese’s

My weekend without a car is not full with as many stories, but it does provide a way for reality to remind me that I am fortunate to have my car. I adventured to a local coffee shop / community center for reading on the porch with Pamela, which turned into hanging out and talking with her. I now use a new bike route whenever I go up towards St. Edward’s University. I did take the bus to church on Sunday, which truly showed me the luxury of owning my car. I left my house at 10:05 for an 11:30 service and adventured from there. I stopped in downtown for about twenty minutes to catch my second bus, finding myself wondering where there might be facilities; I adventured into the very popular Starbucks. Listed on their bathroom door was a lovely sign stating that only customers can use the facilities and that a key must be requested from the cashier. I can understand the need for this – at the foundation of the sign, it keeps the “unwanted” out of the store and not brave enough to ask for the key because the line was brushing up against the door. However, my bus stop at one point was lined with people who couldn’t just run home because of either a lack of time or a lack of means to get there. Overall, my week without a car was eye-opening, but not too over board; just enough to realize a little tiny corner of what Catholic Charities’ clients experience. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Maybe for even longer this time. In many ways, the experience has challenged me to find a way to put a challenge like this into my life at least once a week, Sunday for example – I biked to St. Edward’s to meet Monica, one of our JVC support people, so we could watch the Rangers game together.  

The SHC table at the college fair.

I ended my seven-day adventure with driving to St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, which is hidden in the hills of West Austin. Over looking valleys of rock and beauty, this school was home to the private school portion of the Hills of Austin College Fairs. That’s right, one night, for about three and half hours I was able to represent Spring Hill College for high school students across Austin. I had so much fun. It was an interesting switch at the end of a week where I looked at people that for whom, in most cases, the bus was  the best means of transportation for them; to that evening looking at group of individuals whose job it is to travel the country representing their colleges. In some cases, this was the third fair of the day; for others it was their first. Either way, the experience lead me to be even more interested in becoming a college counselor, but one that bikes to work.  

"This I Believe"

This I Believe, Inc., was founded in 2004 as a not-for-profit organization that engages youth and adults from all walks of life in writing, sharing, and discussing brief essays about the core values that guide their daily lives.


This I Believe is based on a 1950s radio program of the same name, hosted by acclaimed journalist Edward R. Murrow. Each day, Americans gathered by their radios to hear compelling essays from the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and Harry Truman as well as corporate leaders, cab drivers, scientists, and secretaries—anyone able to distill into a few minutes the guiding principles by which they lived. These essayists’ words brought comfort and inspiration to a country worried about the Cold War, McCarthyism, and racial division. (These essays are now featured in weekly broadcasts on Bob Edwards‘ satellite and public radio shows.)


In reviving This I Believe, executive producer Dan Gediman says, “The goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, the hope is to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.”


-Taken from This I Believe Web site.


For Spirituality Night, Monroe lead us to writing our own "This I Believe" and this is what I came up with:


This I Believe - Farren Style 

I believe in loofa days and great days, in sad days and happy days and that at the base of it all, each day is a gift.

I believe that mountains are just giant hills and that there is more than one way to get to the summit.

I believe in the quiet ocean and the power of the approaching storm.

Saturday's "make me happy" activity.

I believe in patience leading to rewards beyond comprehension. I believe in chasing your dreams with full speed ahead.

I believe in never holding back, but instead sharing your story, your hopes, your trials and your tribulations.

I believe in the power of a hug and doing something everyday to make you happy.

I believe that nervousness calmed by a kind soul that is to confused to notice any worry, but only notice friendship helps heal a soul.

I believe in a blanket of peace over the Earth woven by people who are ready to make a change.

Happiness

I believe in self-happiness with a dose of reality.

I believe in happiness that breaks through the façade so many place before themselves.

I believe in curiosity, questioning and doubt, but knowing all will be okay.

I believe in challenges that enrich the soul and change the heart.

Love

I believe in love: a love that carries you in hard times and good. A love of best friends and soul mates, of families and strangers; a love to risk all for, to cross the country with your thumb waving in the wind.

I believe that all types of love, lost love, forgotten love and unrequited love exist in the world.

I believe that at the end of the day everyone can go to sleep knowing they are loved.

Geoff, Heather, Emily, David and I at Dr. Bordas' in April.

I believe that standing up for your greatest belief is the maximum display of love.

I believe in friendships so strong that I know something is wrong from miles away.

I believe in surrounding yourself with good friends, good food and love to melt away your problems.

Good Spirited

I believe in the goodness found in all, even those who hurt and have been hurt.

I believe in second chances; but I understand protecting oneself.

I believe that judgment before being in someone else’s shoes is wrong.  I believe that accidents happen more often than we realize and that our love for one another is what carries us on. I believe in realizing the difference between perception and reality.

Someone Else Knows

I believe in the power of music to echo our thoughts and the weather to remind us that someone is listening.

What is Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)?

The following blurb was originally used for my fundraising page, however the information will still be helpful. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have questions.




Welcome to my Jesuit Volunteer Corps Fundraising page! Over the course of my last two years at Spring Hill College, I found myself with an increasing desire to grow closer to God. Through self-search and through the Spring Hill Awakening Program (SHAPe), I continued my exploration in faith.  As I became closer with one of my best friends, I learned of her sister’s adventures in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.  Shortly after Thanksgiving, I started to think about what to do with the rest of my life. At work one evening, I found myself on the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Web site and with each click, thought and reflection, I felt more called to a year of service. But what does this service entail? What excites me about this year? The year as a Jesuit Volunteer focuses on four different ideals:

• Community: In this coming year, all of the Jesuit Volunteers (JVs) live together in a community, working together to grow in faith and love.  The communities make group decisions to work together on various projects throughout their own city or around the country.  Additionally, JVs from all four of the domestic regions gather twice a year for a community wide retreat.
• Spirituality: Through a variety of individual and community activities, retreats and reflections, JVs spend a year growing in their faith, becoming closer to God and doing God’s work.
• Simple Living: Each Jesuit Volunteer Community spends a year learning to live and love the basics of life. Living on a tight budget and not always in the most wonderful neighborhoods, JVs learn what it is to live a truly simplistic life. Through this lifestyle, JVs work to help the poor while living among the poor – working to fully enjoy each blessing in life. 
• Social Justice: Each year, JVs become more aware of issues that are present in today’s society both domestically and internationally. For example, one year Jesuit Volunteer Corps – San Antonio (TX) traveled to Fort Benning / Columbus, Georgia to protest the School of the Americas / WHINSEC. In addition, many of the placements for JVs are within organizations that are bringing justice and voice to those that in many cases cannot be heard. 

Each of these four values help JVs to truly live a JVC life, enriched with the love and support from the JVC Community. With each day my excitement and faith grows more to begin such a wonderful year-long adventure. So now that you know what JVC is all about, you are probably wondering what I am doing as a member of JVC. I will be working in Austin, Texas with Catholic Charities of Central Texas as a Case Manager.  I am looking forward to being part of the first JVC community in Austin.  Throughout this summer, Jesuit Volunteer Corps has asked that we, as incoming JVs, raise awareness and funds for the organization so that the organization can continue to grow, continue to help communities across the nation and the world, and continue to help volunteers grow.  Please help me raise money for the Austin community’s inaugural year as we begin our adventure becoming “the change [we] want to see the world” –Gandhi.


Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, love, support and assistance,
Elizabeth Farren


www.jesuitvolunteers.org
http://www.ccctx.org/

We've Been Here a Month?

JVC - Austin House: (back row): Joel, Monroe, Rachel
(front row): Pamela, Elizabeth

September 20

Howdy Y’all!

It’s hard to believe we’ve been here a month already. On August 10, Monroe and I adventured from Dallas to Pinehurst, Texas to begin our year as Jesuit Volunteers. Finally meeting our other housemates late that night, the five of us became fast friends. The next five days were filled with getting to one another, learning about JVC and spending time with other communities, which range from Houston to El Paso to Georgia and randomly, South Dakota.

On Sunday, we adventured to what would be our home for the next year. Two and half-hours later we were welcomed with opened arms to the live music capital of the world. We spent Monday and Tuesday getting a crash course on where specific places are located in Austin. Wednesday came quicker than any of us could have imagined and away we went to work. Pamela works for Casa Marinella, an organization that provides emergency shelter for immigrants, especially ones seeking asylum. Monroe works at Casa’s sister organization, Posada, which is an emergency shelter for women and children. Rachel is spending her year at St. Louise House, which just transitioned to permanent supportive housing from women and children. And finally, Joel and I work at Catholic Charities of Central Texas. Monday through Wednesday, we work as Case Managers and Thursdays and Fridays, we work as Food Pantry Assistants.

Summer Nutrition Program
boxes line the wait area
of the food pantry.

Starting next week, we will get our first cases. Spending care time with each client to help with everything from budgeting to accomplishing personal goals they set aside, such as finding a job or setting a plan to rid themselves of debt. The Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry, whose official name is the Angels of Hope Food Pantry is open every Thursday and Friday. Every second and fourth Thursday we serve our senior clients. This group can also include anyone receiving Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). The first and third Thursdays we help to distribute summer nutrition boxes for local families with at least one child directly related to them, under the age of 18 living in the house. Then, every Friday, we are open to the general public. Clients have to meet specific requirements in order to be served a second time, however anyone can come in for one time food assistance or an emergency food bags.  

However, our adventures around Austin have not been all work-related. We’ve discovered Yellow Bike Project, an organization that teaches people how to repair and fix their own bikes. Rachel, Pamela and I have biked Lady Bird Trail – I dragged Monroe back a few days later. Speaking of random adventures, we have attended the Bat Festival, which is on the Congress Street bridge, home to one of the largest urban habitation of bats in the world, and we even got to go to a minor league baseball game.

Joel, Monroe, Pamela & myself at a Round Rock Express Game.

 

Fear not, we are not just mingling within our little community. We have gotten to know our direct next-door neighbors: the four graduate students are part of the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program out of the University of Notre Dame. We have also had visitors, two Jesuit Volunteers and a co-workers of one visited us from Houston over the Labor Day weekend. 

-Elizabeth